Hello Readers,
This week we are going to look into the Prostate gland and one of the
more popular herbs used in keeping it healthy, Saw Palmetto.
For those of you that have been here, thank you for sticking with me. I
pray that this newsletter continues to hold your interest as well as
hoping that it provides you with information that you can use.
This information is not to be used in place of proper medical
treatment, it is provided to show the different body systems and some of
the different herbs and supplements historically used with those different
systems. If you make the choice to treat yourself in accordance with
information provided here, please make sure that your physician or health
care provider has full knowledge of what you are doing. Here is our Disclaimer.
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CONTENTS
The Prostrate Gland
Interesting Facts
Saw Palmetto
THE PROSTATE GLAND
The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. It is normally
about the size of a golf ball in a doughnut shape. It encircles the upper
part of the urethra, which is the tube that runs from the bladder to the
end of the penis. Its function is to secrete a liquid that mixes which the
male sperm. This liquid forms the largest percentage of the liquid that is
present when the male ejaculates. This liquid helps with the sperm’s
mobility and its activity.
While an active and loving relationship will help tremendously in the
overall health of the prostate, it also helps to have an adequate intake
of zinc to ensure the health of the prostate. The overuse of alcohol and
too many spicy foods can be detrimental to the overall healthy function of
this gland. If prostate problems are suspected, some of the things you
should look for include burning or forced urination, nocturia (frequent
nighttime voiding), the feeling of having to urinate urgently, but having
to wait on the flow of urine to begin, and smaller size or force of the
urine stream. If these symptoms occur it would be wise to consult your
physician.
Gonorrhea is one disease that attacks the prostate. Over 90% of the
male’s ejaculation fluid is an alkaline seminal fluid from the prostate.
With each ejaculation zinc, selenium, and the amino acid L-Arginine are
lost. Older men often have problems with the prostate swelling or
enlarging. This often times is caused by a zinc deficiency or possibly a
weak liver. An indication of a zinc deficiency would be white spots on
either the finger or toenails, as well as rough or goosebumpy skin on the
back of the upper arm.
Location of the Prostate in different modalities:
Iridology:
The prostate is located in both eyes. The right eye at 5:00 to 5:10
and in the left eye at 6:50 to 7:00. It must be touching the Autonomic
Nerve Wreath.
Kinesiology:
Using two fingers, the male pubic bone area on either side of the
penis.
Reflexology:
On the inside of each foot, directly below the ankle.
Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs, and other supplements used for the Prostate:
Vitamins:
B-complex,
B12,
C,
E
Minerals:
Zinc, selenium,
calcium, fluorine,
iron, potassium, silicon, and
sulfur.
Herbs:
Cornsilk
– Soothes and flushes the urinary tract.
Damiana – Builds the prostate and helps to increase sperm count.
False Unicorn – Helps to build and strengthen all reproductive
organs.
Eleuthero
– Contains testosterone.
Saw Palmetto
– Builds the reproductive organs.
Sarsaparilla – Helps the body make male hormones.
Herbal Combinations: (Nature’s Sunshine Products)
Master
Gland – Good source of nutritional support for the entire
glandular system.
PS-II
– Nutritional support.
P-X – Nutritional support
X-A
– Rebuilds and maintains sexual organs.
Other Supplements:
L-Arginine – An amino acid that is lost during ejaculation.
PSA – Prostate Specific Antigen – a hormone that is produced by the
prostate.
INTERESTING FACTS
In the mid 1960’s cryosurgery was an alternative to radiotherapy or
radical prostatectomy. Although it was effective, it had a high
incidence of complications. Technologic advances in the areas of imaging
and urethral warming have renewed interest in this treatment. A study
showed that following a decline in well-being immediately after
cryosurgery, 12 months after cryosurgery all aspects of the participants’
well-being had returned to pretreatment levels, with the exception of
decreased sexual function. The hospital stay after treatment was 1 day
for 94% of the participants, and returning to work averaged 3 weeks.
Compared with men who received the standard treatments of radical
prostatectomy and radical radiotherapy, men treated with cryosurgery
appeared to have a similar quality of life.
Saw Palmetto is an herb found along the Atlantic Ocean in places like
Georgia and Florida and in other coastal areas such as Texas. This shrub
is a small evergreen with leaves that have the appearance of a jagged saw,
hence the name Saw Palmetto.
This herb is a member of the palm family and was an important food
source for the Indians. The Native Americans ground up the seeds and used
them as food. Further, they believed that the fruits had special health
benefits. In addition, early English settlers used this plant as a broom
because of its fanlike branches.
Attention was initially drawn to this plant when John Llyod, a famous
early American medical botanist, noticed that the animals that fed on the
plant grew sleek and fat. The effect of the berries was found to stimulate
appetite, provide excellent nutrition, and strengthen the musculo-skeletal
system.
While this stout shrub is also a good remedy for head colds, irritated
mucous membrane in the throat, nose, and air passages, and chronic bronchitis of lung asthma, it has gained it’s most widespread popularity
from its ability to relieve uncomfortable symptoms associated with benign
prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).
BPH is a non-cancerous condition that causes the prostate to grow
larger as men begin to age. This enlargement is a problem because the
urethra, the tube that carries urine, runs directly through the prostate.
When the gland grows larger, it pinches the urethra which produces several
frustrating symptoms including: reduced urine flow, the urge to urinate on
very short notice, trouble beginning to urinate, and frequent bathroom
visits throughout the late hours of the night.
Until recently, medical doctors have typically relieved BPH through
surgery. Now, through the use of Saw Palmetto, symptoms can be relieved
with much more ease. One study conducted on men with BPH found that
through the use of this herb, nightly bathroom visits were reduced by
almost half and urine flow rates were increased by the same amount.
The effectiveness of this important herb has to do with its reaction to
an enzyme produced in the body of aging males. By the time a man reaches
the age of forty, his body begins to produce more 5-alpha-reducase
testosterone, an enzyme which converts healthy testosterone to unhealthy
dihydrotestosterone. This causes a growth spurt in the prostate gland and
stimulates abnormal growth of the benign prostate cells.
Studies in France indicate that Saw Palmetto inhibits the production of
the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which in turn reduces the chances of
prostate enlargement.
Saw Palmetto is also used to tone and strengthen the male reproductive
system and to enhance the male sex hormones. In addition, this small shrub
awakens the appetite, generates strength and restores the lungs.
General use is two capsules with meals three times daily.
